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Live blog: Dolphins hang on for 17-14 win over Rams

MIAMI GARDENS — It certainly wasn’t pretty. And the Dolphins got crushed by the Rams in total yardage and in most stats on the ledger.

But they beat the Rams in the only stat that matters — on the scoreboard — as the Dolphins prevailed 17-14 and improved to 3-3 entering their bye week.

The Dolphins gained just 192 total yards, including a season-low 19 on the ground, as the Rams’ defense consistently over-powered the Dolphins’ offensive line. But Ryan Tannehill was efficient as ever, completing 21-of-29 passes for 185 yards, two touchdowns and a career-high 112.0 passer rating. It was his first two-touchdown pass of his career, to Anthony Fasano and Marlon Moore.

The defense, meanwhile, allowed 462 total yards, but kept St. Louis out of the end zone for most of the day, until Sam Bradford punched the ball across for a 1-yard touchdown midway through the fourth quarter. The Rams reached midfield on their final drive, but Greg Zuerlein’s 66-yard field goal fell short.

Thanks for stopping by today. Will have more updates and analysis after coming back from the locker room.

The sun is shining, at least for now, and the wind is blowing strong as the Dolphins prepare to face the Rams today at Sun Life Stadium.

The teams will have to deal with bi-polar weather today, as intermittent rain showers have been passing through the area every few minutes or so. The temperatures are supposed to be in the mid-80s today, with wind gusts up to 20 mph. Certainly won’t be easy for the Rams, who play their home games in a dome, or Dolphins kicker Dan Carpenter, whose accuracy on deep kicks has not been good this season.

For the Dolphins, linebacker Kevin Burnett, who was questionable with a foot injury, is active and ready to play today. But receiver Jabar Gaffney won’t be active for the second straight week, as the coaching staff doesn’t feel comfortable yet with his conditioning or knowledge of the playbook.

Otherwise, no real surprise inactives for either team. The Dolphins listed starting RB Daniel Thomas (concussion) and CB Richard Marshall (back) as Out on Friday.

The Dolphins have a season-high 12 rookies active today, including rookie LB Josh Kaddu, who was signed from the practice squad earlier this week. Lamar Miller and Jorvorskie Lane also figure to get more active in the offense with Thomas out today.

That’s about all the updates we’ve got for now from the stadium. Please hit check back after every quarter for updates of the active, and come back immediately after the game for instant analysis and to give us your thoughts.

Their 29th-ranked offense is picking up chunks of yardage at ease so far, with Daryl Richardson breaking off a 44-yard run and Sam Bradford hitting Chris Givens for a 65-yard pass in the first quarter. The Dolphins’ defense shored up after both big plays, however, and held the Rams to two field goals and a 6-0 lead after the first quarter.

Overall, the Rams out-gained the Dolphins 159-32 in the first quarter. The Rams blitzed the Dolphins consistently, and while Ryan Tannehill completed 5-of-6 passes, it was all short passes for only 33 yards as the Dolphins were forced to punt twice.

The Dolphins currently face first-and-17 on their own 8-yard line after Richie Incognito was called for holding at the end of the first quarter.

SECOND QUARTER

Somehow, the Dolphins have a 10-6 halftime lead over the Rams.

The Rams have almost triple the amount of yards as the Dolphins — 294 to 99 — yet the Dolphins are the ones with the 4-point lead. Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein uncharacteristically missed two field goals in the half — one from 52 yards, and one from 37 right before halftime — and the Dolphins’ defense has not allowed any touchdowns on three Rams trips inside the Red Zone.

Meanwhile, the Dolphins have not been able to get much going against the Rams’ ferocious front seven, with just four rushes for four yards and two sacks by the Rams and their constant blitz. But Tannehill finally figured out the blitz midway through the second quarter, and hit a wide open Marlon Moore for a 29-yard touchdown pass to give the Dolphins the lead.

The Rams then fumbled away the ensuing kickoff, and the Dolphins recovered on the 25. After a quick three-and-out, Dan Carpenter hit a 42 yarder to give the Dolphins a 10-6 lead.

The Dolphins also may have lost rookie Olivier Vernon, who had a sack in the first half but also left the game with an ankle injury.

The Rams confounded the Dolphins with the blitz throughout the first half. Finally, the Dolphins decided they’d seen enough.

Tannehill picked apart the Rams blitz with a series of short passes over the middle to Anthony Fasano, Davone Bess and Reggie Bush and opened the second half with a 1-yard touchdown pass to Fasano to give the Dolphins a commanding 17-6 lead.

It could be even bigger, but the Dolphins have had two fumble recoveries overturned by questionable replay rulings. One time the referee took away a sack from Cam Wake and a fumble recovery for Jared Odrick based on the Tuck Rule, even though it was questionable whether or not Bradford had tucked the ball into his chest. And then Chris Givens’ fumble was ruled an incomplete catch, even though it appeared to be a clear catch.

The Dolphins’ defense allowed 57 yards in that quarter but again kept St. Louis out of the end zone.